“Meaning in Life” by Susan Wolf

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In the short essay Meaning in Life , Susan Wolf
discusses subjective and objective dimensions of
meaning and how these dimensions contribute to a
persons life being either meaningful or
meaningless. Specifically, Wolf defines the
subjective element as active engagement, and
the objective one as projects of worth (Klemke
Cahn, 2008, p. 205). According to Wolf, active
engagement implies being excited, passionate, and
involved into something that a person considers
satisfying in some way. Projects of worth, on the
other hand, imply a commitment to some sort of
objective value, i.e. the value ones activities
have for the world and other people (Klemke
Cahn, 2008, p. 206). Wolf considers it essential
for a persons sense of meaningfulness in their
life that these two components of meaning
meet. To convey the importance of the combination
of these dimensions of meaning, Wolf suggests a
certain slogan. She claims that people can feel
that their lives are truly meaningful only when
they are actively engaged in the projects of
worth (Klemke Cahn, 2008, p. 205). For example,
if a person is actively engaged in something that
has no ultimate value or worthiness, they will
not feel that their life has meaning. The same
would apply to those who are doing something
worthwhile for the world or other people without
actually enjoying it. Wolfs position seems
reasonable to me, mainly because I have had
similar reflections about meaning in life. I
think she is right to claim that a meaningful
life should comprise both subjective and
objective elements of meaning. I do believe that
only if an activity is both enjoyable and useful
for the world in some way can it make someones
life meaningful. It has to be mentioned that the
objective value of the activity does not have
to be ambitious or even noticeable. Many people
would claim that certain activities they consider
enjoyable do not have any value to the world.
Despite this, I still strongly believe a closer
look will allow finding both objective value and
satisfaction in any activity that makes someones
life meaningful.
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Reference Ivypanda Student Success Hub. Meaning
in Life by Susan Wolf Essay Reflection. https//i
vvpanda.com/essavs/meaning-in-life-bv-susan-wolf-e
ssav-reflection/ Klemke, E. D., Cahn, S. M.
(2008). The meaning of life A reader (4th ed.).
Oxford University Press, USA.